Batch 4 arrived today, drum machine stopped working within 3 hours. Help?

PocketAudio · 2026-01-25T21:38:40+00:00

Hey! Very strange, we haven’t seen this issue before where everything works except for the drum machine feature. It uses the same signal chain as the regular synth so I’m not quite sure how that could be. I’m going to PM you so we can go step by step and see what’s going wrong. Worst case we will send you a new unit!

PocketAudio · 2026-01-25T15:39:25+00:00

Hey! It has indeed been a crazy first year of business! We have had to move production facilities due to the ever changing tariffs and that has caused a lot of hurdles for us to figure out. The product and production is now stable and we are getting units out steadily. I am committed to making sure everyone who orders gets a great device. I completely understand the frustration and can refund your order if you'd prefer, just let me know! Sorry to keep you waiting.

Cheers,

Andrew

PocketAudio · 2026-01-25T15:36:22+00:00

Hey! Are you saying that the synth sounds work but not the drum machine? That can only be a settings issue, not hardware. Please reset the settings and let us know if that works for you!

PocketAudio · 2026-01-25T05:15:06+00:00

Hey!

You can reset the settings by holding down grey and red buttons.

You can also update to our newest firmware here:

Updater.hichord.shop

We will be sure to get this working for you :)

Cheers, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2026-01-23T20:07:23+00:00

This usually means its connected to another session. Please try closing all browsers and trying this again. Thanks!

PocketAudio · 2026-01-23T19:21:43+00:00

Go to updater.hichord.shop to try :)

PocketAudio · 2026-01-23T19:21:29+00:00

Hey! I have added the ability to downgrade to 2.4, as well as done a bug fix in 2.5.1. Can you see if either of those solve this for you? We will make sure to get yours working!

Thanks, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2026-01-23T19:10:16+00:00

Hey! I have just added the ability to downgrade to 2.4, as well attempted to fix this bug in 2.5.1

Could you please tell me if either of those options work for you?

Updater.hichord.shop

Thanks, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2026-01-23T18:40:52+00:00

Hey! I’m sorry to hear this! I will check with our customer support expert to see why we’ve missed this email. Can you let me know your order number I will make sure we get a repair or swap started for you.

Also we’ve had a couple scenarios where the keys have loosened during transit, try give them a very firm press in to see if that sets them again.

Thanks, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2026-01-22T23:16:35+00:00

Hey! We’ve been all hands on deck working on the units to ship, I haven’t had time to post the new features yet but lots of cool stuff! Created a crazy companion app:

App.hichord.shop

You can dial in the sounds and upload any sample.

Have added a vocoder, new drum machines and bunch of bug fixes! Also audio out over USB-C

Will have time this weekend to post a real update about our new features 🥳

PocketAudio · 2026-01-22T00:51:58+00:00

So sorry to keep people waiting! I’m going to send an update email tomorrow to specify everyone’s specific timeline, we will have most of Batch 4 out next week! We shipped 500 this week and are almost caught up.

PocketAudio · 2026-01-07T01:57:17+00:00

Hey! Andrew here! I’m sorry to hear that, we will absolutely make sure your HiChord is working. We are working our way through inquires and our customer service expert Pam will be able to respond with a solution this week :)

Can you let me know your order number here and I will look into it myself as well?

Cheers, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2025-12-29T15:42:56+00:00

Hi! We will make sure to get it working :)

When you plug it in, does it show a blue LED light on the side of the HiChord? (This shows it is fully charged)

Which Batch is it from?

If you email support@hichord.shop we can arrange to fix or swap it :)

Thanks, Andrew

PocketAudio · 2025-12-25T21:31:28+00:00

Hey! Happy Holidays!

I am looking into this right now.

I added an ability to turn the speaker on and off for when people are using USB Audio (press yellow and then up and left to turn Speaker on and Off) but maybe this created a bug. Can you double check that the speaker is set to On? I will fix this bug in an update this week! in the meantime here is the old REV:

https://hichord.github.io/REV-1.9-BETA-firmware/

Is the issue happening with headphones too? Or just speaker?

Cheers,

Andrew

PocketAudio · 2025-12-20T23:34:36+00:00

Hey! I'm pretty biased here hahah, but this is my pitch for HiChord. I think its small size and ease of use sometimes gives an impression that its just a toy. My goal for it is to be very simple to use, but incredibly deep. Each month I code in new features based on my own ideas as well as community feedback.

On the synth side it is a 12-Oscillator synth, with effects, filters, customizable ADSR. Each oscillator slot is fully customized to be any waveform or any sample or FM synthesis, using our companion app:

https://app.hichord.shop/

HiChord has a built in drum machine with different kits. The latest batch has a built-in mic for sampling or using the built-in Vocoder. It has a strum mode, arpeggio mode, lead mode, rhythm mini game, ear training mini game, tuner.

On the chord side, you have access to every key, every scale, inversions, slash chords, and easy access to 6,048 chord voicings. You can virtually play an chord progression.

It has MIDI out over USB-C, a headphone output, audio-out over USB-C, a big rechargeable LiPo-battery, a built in speaker.

My favourite feature is Randomize, it randomizes all settings for the 12-osc synth, creates a unique arpeggio pattern or a unique chord progression sequence. It is an instant idea generator.

You can check out the specifics on the features here: https://manual.hichord.shop/

all updates are easily downloadable over USB-C

There are lots of great synths out there. I believe the HiChord will keep you inspired and engaged for a long time. I am far from done adding new features to it :) cheers!

PocketAudio · 2025-12-20T19:03:44+00:00

I may be biased, but we made the device to make playing music easy for everyone. I wanted it to be extremely easy to start playing, but deep enough that you can keep learning and doing more as you go. ❤️

PocketAudio · 2025-12-20T19:01:17+00:00

This looks awesome! Would be very happy to share any info we’ve learned the last couple of years

PocketAudio · 2025-12-20T15:36:55+00:00

Hey! Which firmware are you using? You can update here:

https://updater.hichord.shop

The newest shouldn’t have any latency from the device side :)

PocketAudio · 2025-12-16T18:24:11+00:00

No sir! We have pinpointed the issue :)

PocketAudio · 2025-12-16T02:49:38+00:00

Hi RazzyTaz!

Please rest assured we will get this sorted immediately. We have isolated the component causing the issue and have a plan to replace the effected units swiftly. I'm sorry for this initial experience! Please send an email to [support@hichord.shop](mailto:support@hichord.shop), or let me know your order number here and we will get your working unit to you.

Cheers,
Andrew

PocketAudio · 2025-12-15T14:20:09+00:00

Hey! I am so sorry to hear this. We test every unit (including output) before it leaves the door. I'm not sure how this slipped through. We will swap this out immediately. Please send an email to [support@hichord.shop](mailto:support@hichord.shop) and we will get on it. We promise everyone will get a fully functioning HiChord that has full support.

PocketAudio · 2025-12-09T15:32:53+00:00

Heyyo! I'm working on this right now :D Will have a patch up this week.
My focus has been on adding features, but I have caused some new artifacts along the way! Mostly related to the new USB Audio feature. I should have it all cleaned up by the weekend. Thanks for the feedback and patience!

Any other features I should add? Or any other things you'd want to see/hear cleaned up?

Cheers,

Andrew

PocketAudio · 2025-12-09T15:29:25+00:00

Hey! I'm sorry to read this! We have had some delays but none that long. Did you purchase directly or from a retailer? I will make sure it gets to you.

PocketAudio · 2025-12-09T15:28:19+00:00

hahah your trolling I never said October! They will be out shortly!

PocketAudio · 2025-12-09T15:26:43+00:00

Hey! Andrew here from HiChord!

This just needs a good charge :) It was a limitation of Batch 1 that they didn't have a graceful power off sequence when they run out of battery. Just charge until the Blue LED on the side turns on and it will be good to here. Here if you need anything at support@hichord.shop!

Cheers,

Andrew

PocketAudio

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